New Arts Council leader sets focus

Kara Dirkson became executive director of the Sioux Falls Arts Council in late 2016. She previously served as director of the Visual Arts Center for the Washington Pavilion.

Question: How did you become interested in your field?

Answer: It feels like a natural progression and culmination of my personal interests, past experiences and professional strengths. The arts and humanities have always been my natural inclination. This was solidified for me intellectually in college when I took part in an interdisciplinary program called the Great Conversation at St. Olaf. A passion for the arts combined with what I think is a propensity for leadership, strategic thinking/planning and relationship-building make arts administration and advocacy a good fit.

Q: What attracted you to the opportunity with the Arts Council?

A: Its tremendous potential. Seeing what it can be and the challenge of getting it there excite me. Previously I focused on ‘smaller picture’ arts in my business endeavors and oversight of the Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion…